# keep someone busy

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/keep-someone-busy
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To ensure that someone's attention is occupied, often to prevent them from becoming bored or noticing something.

## Examples

- These toys keep the children busy.
- I gave him a difficult project to keep him busy while I finished the report.
- The manager assigned a series of minor administrative tasks to keep the restless staff busy during the long wait for the final decision.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.